If the kids are old enough, book a tour with A Tour of Possibilities to learn about Black history in Memphis. You could also do a self-guided tour of civil rights sites like these: 

• I AM A MAN Plaza at Clayborn Temple
• MLK Reflection Park 
• Mason Temple
• National Civil Rights Museum (the plaza is free to access and outdoors)
• Six-Story Black History Mural

2. Walk the Wolf River Greenway (FREE) 

Take the kids somewhere they haven't been to explore the outdoors this Spring Break—the Wolf River Greenway stretches 14 miles (& growing!) with multiple sections all over town, including Mud Island, Epping Way, Kennedy Park, and Walnut Grove. Check out the list and get a map here. 

3. Explore 30+ Exhibits of Educational Play at Children's Museum of Memphis ($18 per person)

The Children’s Museum of Memphis is always a good spot to take the kiddos. CMOM offers fun activities daily in addition to their play areas. Check out their latest exhibit Opposites Abstract: A Mo Willems Exhibit which explores the complicated yet simple concepts of opposites.

4. Spring Break Camp At Memphis Zoo ($245/member, $275/non-members)

A spring break experience a child is guaranteed to remember. Memphis Zoo offers a camp from March 10-14 AND March 17-21 from 9 a.m, to 3 p.m. each day. Zoo Camp offers exploration into the fascinating world of zoo residents with tours, animal meet and greets, and hands-on exploration. They have an extended care add-on too.  Details here.

5. Go Outside And Play (free)

There's nothing like a good old fashioned day at the playground to burn some energy and (hopefully) soak up the sun. Even if you need a jacket, it’s worth it to get moving. Try one of these: 

• Tom Lee Park
• Rainbow Lake Playground at Overton Park
• River Garden at Mississippi River Park
• Shelby Forest State Park
• Germantown Municipal Park
• My Big Backyard at Memphis Botanic Garden + don't forget the current Trolls exhibit!
• Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms 
• Tobey Park Skate Park
• Raleigh Springs Civic Center Skate Park
• Play Pickleball

6. Let Kids Burn Off All That Energy At Run 'n' Fun Camp ($40/day)

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Memphis Sports & Events Center (@memphissportsandevents)

We get it. The kids are going to have a lot of energy and wiggles to burn being out of school. The Memphis Sports and Events Center is providing an action-packed spring break camp with obstacle courses and indoor games. Daily check-in begins at 8:45 a.m. with a 4 p.m. pick up. Extended care is available too. Details here.

7. Spring Break With MoSH's Mythical Menagerie! ($285/Non-members, $275/Members)

The Museum of Science and History has multiple activities during Spring Break in Memphis this year! Check out their calendar of happenings and their latest exhibit Earth Matters: Rethink the Future .

Looking for a camp opportunity? At MoSH's Lichterman Nature Center, campers will explore the role of animals in myths and folklore from around the world. Through storytelling, crafts, and hands-on activities, they’ll discover legendary creatures and even create their own tales! Details here.

8. Go on a Kid-Friendly Food Crawl (prices vary)

Most food and pub crawls are for grown-ups, but what about a kid-friendly food crawl at several local restaurants?  Here are a few that kids will love:

• Belly Acres in East Memphis
• Sweet Noshings in Overton Square
• A Schwab and Beale Sweets Sugar Shack on Beale Street 
• The Peanut Shoppe
• Elwood's Shack and La Michaocana on Summer Ave
• Kooky Canuck 
• Aldo's Pizza Cafe (they give pizza dough to kids to play with)
• Soul Fish Cafe (multiple locations)
• Jerry's Sno Cones
• Huey's (multiple locations)

9. Visit the Dixon Gallery & Gardens (free!)

Did you know that the Dixon Gallery & Gardens is still free?! Take the whole family to peruse the gardens, walk through the pathways, see the flowers—tulips may be blooming soon—and the sculptures. Take the bucks you saved on admission and grab some lunch, coffee, or a treat from the cafe. Check out their kid and teen friendly programming here.

The Dixon also offers a Nature Camp for grades 1-5 for spring break. Little ones will get a fun sun-filled week of activities, experiments, games, and more. $175 for non-members, $150 for Dixon members. Details here.

10. Find a museum or attraction you haven't been to. (prices vary)

Spend a few afternoons at some of these charming kid-friendly Memphis attractions.

• The Fire Museum downtown is especially great for younger kids.
• The Lichterman Nature Center in East Memphis features trails and a wildlife center
• The C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa gives a glimpse into the area's original Native American inhabitants and is adjacent to lots of picnic-friendly places.
• The Memphis Zoo is pretty packed during Spring Break, but I wanted to mention it here as a perfect Memphis family fun idea in general!

11. Do something adventurous with the kids. (prices vary)

For kids looking for adrenaline pumping adventure this spring break.

• Try the classic outdoor cart tracks at Golf & Games on Summer Avenue 
• Compete in 35+ games and 100 levels of fun at the new social gaming facility Amuse: The Adventure Museum
• Take your pick at 10+ themed escape rooms at Memphis Escape Rooms two locations
• Climb and zipline through Shelby Farms Park with Go Ape
• Feel the spook with glow in the dark Monster Mini Golf
• Take swings at Topgolf Memphis 
• Shoot some hoops at Shoot 360 Memphis, a basketball gym utilizing digital gamification in addition to hands-on training
• Spirit Technique in Cordova offers a Gymnastics Day Camp from March 10-14 too!

12. Learn something new with a class or workshop. (prices vary)

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Slimetastic Kids Play Lab (@slimetastickidsplaylab)

Just because it's spring break doesn't mean the learning has to stop! 

• Get the science experience at the Slimetastic Kids Play Lab where kids make their own slime creations
• Go during art free play or book an art class at The Art Project
• Get a hands-on STEM experience at CodeCrew's Spring Break Camp. Kids will learn about coding 3D Printing, VR Exploration, and more.

13. Take a trip to a local bookstore or the library.

Memphis has quite a few. Check out the guide to local Memphis bookstores here. Most are near great local restaurants (Novel even has a cafe inside) so plan to get some lunch afterwards!

A Few Other Ideas. I'm Just Going To List Them.

• Ride the elevator at the Bass Pro Pyramid 
• Check out Main Event Entertainment or Dave & Buster’s during family friendly hours (bowling, arcade, laser tag, etc.) 
• Take a picture at an I Love Memphis mural 
• Sign up to volunteer and give back to Memphis.
• + 50 free things to do in Memphis

What's the best Spring Break you (or your kids) ever had in Memphis? Tell me in the comments.